Aloha was the bye word for the presentation of the wonderful State of Hawaii on their first trip to Ireland. Regional Tourist Offices headed by Hawaii Tourism and hotel groups and resorts greeted the trade at Trinity City Hotel in Dublin to present their varied and exciting products.
Hawaii singers Cookie and Nick (husband and wife) entertained at the pre-lunch reception and Cookie gave a brief explanation of the traditional greeting ‘Aloha’, which means ‘Love and Compassion’.
There was a warm reception from all the representatives, led by Hawaii Tourism UK and Ireland representative Sola Thomson and those of Visitors Bureaux from Kaua’i – Maile Brown; O’Ahu – Noelani Schilling-Wheeler; Maui – Sherry Doung; and Hawaii Big island – Teresa Cosgrove; who made sure to meet members of the Irish trade and were ably assisted by hotel representatives from Starwood Hotels and Resorts – Karin Jones; Hyatt Resorts and Spas – Renee Archer Nakashima, and Hilton Hotels and Resorts – Wanda Williams Rietow.
The Irish trade were salivating at the prospect of visiting this warm and hospitable region of the USA.
